Traditional Farming in Zambia's Luapula Province
Read Traditional Farming in Zambia's Luapula Province and check the IELTS Reading answers. By tradition, land in Luapula Province is not owned by individuals but, as in many other parts of Africa, is allocated by the headman or headwoman of a village to people of either sex according to need. Since…
Passage preview
By tradition, land in Luapula Province is not owned by individuals but, as in many other parts of Africa, is allocated by the headman or headwoman of a village to people of either sex according to need. Since land is generally prepared by hand, a single family group cannot take on a very large area, so land has not been a limiting resource over large parts of the province. However, that situation has already changed near the main towns, and there has long been a scarcity of land for cultivation in the river valley. In both these areas, registered ownership patterns are becoming prevalent.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- allocate verb
To distribute resources or duties for a particular purpose or according to a specific plan
The government must allocate funds specifically for the development of sustainable agricultural practices.
- deplete verb
To diminish in number or quantity; to exhaust resources, energy, or essential nutrients
Overfarming has left the soil severely depleted of the minerals necessary for crop growth.
- explicit adjective
Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt regarding the meaning
The manager gave explicit instructions on how to handle the delicate scientific equipment.
- ingenious adjective
Clever, original, and inventive; showing remarkable skill in design or complex problem-solving
The engineer developed an ingenious solution to reduce the energy consumption of the building.
- leach verb
To remove soluble substances from a solid material, such as soil, by percolating liquid
Heavy tropical rains tend to leach nutrients from the soil, necessitating natural fertilizers.
- prevalent adjective
Widespread or common within a particular area or at a particular time
Digital payment methods have become increasingly prevalent in urban areas over the last decade.
- reciprocal relationship noun
A mutual connection or interaction where both parties provide benefits or influence each other
The success of the partnership relies on a reciprocal relationship between the two collaborating researchers.
- registered ownership noun
The legal recognition and documentation of a person's right to possess specific property
Modern land management systems require registered ownership to prevent disputes over territory rights.
- remunerative adjective
Financially rewarding or profitable; providing a substantial payment for work or services rendered
Many graduates seek remunerative careers in the technology sector to ensure financial stability.
- unobtrusive adjective
Not conspicuous or attracting attention; acting in a way that does not interfere with others
The security cameras were placed in an unobtrusive manner to avoid disturbing the guests.
Answers with explanations
- 1. need
The text states that land is **allocated** (which means **given**) to people "according to **need**." This perfectly matches the prompt's phrase "on the basis of", confirming that land distribution is determined by how much individuals require it.
- 2. ashes
The text explicitly defines **citemene** as a **system** where crops are "grown on the **ashes** of tree branches." The word "grown" matches the prompt's **planting crops**, pointing directly to "ashes" as the correct completion before the word "wood" (tree branches).
- 2-3: A
2: The text explicitly defines **citemene** as a **system** where crops are "grown on the **ashes** of tree branches." The word "grown" matches the prompt's **planting crops**, pointing directly to "ashes" as the correct completion before the word "wood" (tree branches).
3: The passage outlines the agricultural cycle over a few years, mentioning that the "diverse sequence **ends** with the vegetable **cassava**." The phrase "ends with" directly corresponds to the prompt's description of being the **last crop to be planted**.
- 3. cassava
The passage outlines the agricultural cycle over a few years, mentioning that the "diverse sequence **ends** with the vegetable **cassava**." The phrase "ends with" directly corresponds to the prompt's description of being the **last crop to be planted**.
- 3-4: D
3: The passage outlines the agricultural cycle over a few years, mentioning that the "diverse sequence **ends** with the vegetable **cassava**." The phrase "ends with" directly corresponds to the prompt's description of being the **last crop to be planted**.
4: The passage mentions what happens "when **forest is not available**," which is a paraphrase for **areas without trees**. In this scenario, "a **series of ridges** is built," where various crops are subsequently **planted**. The grammatical fit requires the exact phrase "series of ridges".
- 4. series of ridges
The passage mentions what happens "when **forest is not available**," which is a paraphrase for **areas without trees**. In this scenario, "a **series of ridges** is built," where various crops are subsequently **planted**. The grammatical fit requires the exact phrase "series of ridges".
- 5. houses
The prompt refers to **conditions** being **right**, which matches the text's requirement of having "year-round access to water." Under these favourable conditions, the passage states that fruit-bearing trees are **grown** "around **houses**," perfectly matching the prompt's "**planted near**".
- 6. A
The passage describes **fishing** as a "far more **remunerative activity**" than growing crops, and highlights it as the "one substantial **source of cash**." These phrases directly indicate that **fish** generate the **biggest profits** for local farmers.
- 7. B
The text notes that people keep **goats** (and chickens) which might be "slaughtered for **ceremonies** or for entertaining important visitors." These events correspond directly to the **special occasions** mentioned in the prompt, where the animals are **consumed**.
- 8. C
The passage states that only small numbers of **oxen** are kept "owing to the prevalence of the **tsetse fly**." The tsetse fly acts as the **insect pest** that prevents farmers from successfully breeding them in large numbers, demonstrating that they **do not thrive**.
- 9. A
The text states that "much **fish** is **dried**," which is a method by which they are **preserved**. Furthermore, this dried fish is designated "for **sale** to areas **away from** the main waterways," matching the prompt's idea of being **sold outside the local area**.
- 10. TRUE
The passage confirms that agricultural "land is generally **prepared by hand**" and notes an "absence of **animal power**" (like **oxen**) for cultivating the land. Because farmers rely on "hand-hoeing" instead of animal assistance, the statement that land is prepared **without the help of oxen** is definitively **TRUE**.
- 11. NOT GIVEN
While the passage discusses the division of **labour** between men and women (e.g., men felling branches, women stacking them and harvesting), there is absolutely no mention of **children** providing **extra labour** during busy periods. Therefore, the statement is **NOT GIVEN**.
- 12. FALSE
The text explicitly states that while people keep **chickens** and goats, these animals "are **not a standard part** of most people's **diet**." They are only consumed on special occasions like ceremonies. This directly contradicts the claim that they are eaten on a **regular basis**, making the statement **FALSE**.
- 13. C
In the final paragraph, the writer argues that the "unmodified **traditional practices**" are not "**capable**" of "supporting the **expanding population** in a sustainable manner." This directly aligns with the option stating that these **traditional farming methods** will be **inadequate** to support a **growing population**.